I totally see patterns everywhere in old buildings that would make a nice quilt! See pics I took for that reason from Chatsworth:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/maryeli...7615480775663/
and this was on a plinth underneath a statue:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/maryeli...7615480775663/
Also, the kitchen towel I bought the other day has a nice swirly pattern that would make nice free motion quilting!